The editorial Saving the leopard (April 22) applauded the role of Ibrahim Qahzam in leading conservation efforts to save the Arabian leopard. Ibrahim Qahzem is actually a construction foreman whose father was a leopard trapper in Amran, Yemen. He was invited by the Foundation for the Protection of the Arabian Leopard to participate in a training mission to the Dhofar region in southern Oman to inspire him to act as an ambassador for the conservation of leopards in his community.
Unfortunately, construction pays better than conservation, so the foundation will probably never be able to offer him the kind of financial incentive that would motivate him to engage in conservation work as a profession, although he would be very good at it.
David Stanton, Yemen
Career men turn to plastic surgery
The article Good looks and upward mobility (April 23) reported that more men in the UAE are embracing plastic surgery to advance their careers. This was a brilliant article that has accurately assessed a growing trend in the region. As such articles are usually written with a focus on the female population, it is refreshing to see an analysis of the trend among the male portion of the population.
Fatima al Quaiti, Abu Dhabi
It is so true that looks do matter in the business world and for job searches. I personally use a special treatment for my beard because it saves me a lot of time.
Mohammed Ahmed, Dubai
I agree that beauty care is a big industry in the UAE with most women visiting beauty parlours on a regular basis. Women between the ages of 20 and 65 years are those who most often seek plastic surgery in the UAE.
Even men commonly seek liposuction or other forms of weight reduction.
Ali al Raqbani, Abu Dhabi
Violence against fellow citizens
In reference to the front page news article Bloodshed continues as Syrians mourn (April 24), the killing of dozens of peaceful protesters the same day at the hands of the security forces in Syria is extremely shocking. How could the regime of President Bashar al Assad be so cruel as to go on shooting dead so many of its own people?
The way the governments of Libya and now Syria are treating their own people reminds us of Israeli brutalities against Palestinians. How would one react to the Israeli actions when the so-called supporters of Palestinians themselves are using the same tactics?
There is no option but to allow peaceful protests. Using force will only precipitate those leaders' own demise.
Muneer Ahmad, Abu Dhabi
English needed for engineering
The article Lessons in English are endorsed by parents (April 11) reported that 80 per cent of parents surveyed in Abu Dhabi believe that teaching Arab children in English will not undermine their national identity. I agree entirely. Arabic has no words for common concepts in engineering, my subject, so how can we teach engineering in Arabic?
Steven Wade, Abu Dhabi
Mixup at the ice hockey goal
Forgive me, but the poor souls who run your sports section, in my humble opinion, just can't get it right about North American sports for love nor money. Granted, they finally included an article concerning the Stanley Cup playoffs, Vancouver look to play on (April 20), but they made a mistake with the caption under the photo. Roberto Luongo is not in white, he is in green and blue. Jonathan Toews, conversely, is in white.
Luongo, just so you know, is the goalie and the Chicago player is Toews.
Graham Wride, Abu Dhabi
The aftermath of desert picnicking
The article Moving tale of a country's journey (April 21) showed families picnicking in the desert alongside the Emirates Road. And the day after these picnics, cleaners in orange uniforms will climb the beautiful red dune parallel to Emirates Road, cleaning tonnes of garbage left over by the evening guests.
Pietro Bielli, Dubai
India must stamp out corruption
I refer to Rajendra K Aneja's letter to the editor India may have its own revolution (April 21). In spite of India's growth in the IT sector, banking and real estate, the common man is still struggling for his livelihood. The is the real, sad state of affairs. India needs a revolution to eradicate corruption and poverty. This is in the hands of the youth.
K Ragavan, India
